What Matters Most to Today's College Students?

I've been wondering about what issues are currently most important to college students, especially those related to campus life, academics, and policy. Does anyone have thoughts or resources on this? Trying to get a grip on what to expect when I enter college!

College life brings a spectrum of experiences and issues that students care deeply about, and it can definitely vary from person to person and campus to campus. That being said, there are some commonalities we can identify:

1. Mental Health: This is a prominent concern on college campuses today. Many students grapple with stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. As a result, the availability and quality of counselling and mental health services on campus are a primary concern.

2. Academic Pressure & Balance: The rigor of university coursework often comes as a surprise to many first-year students. Managing a healthy balance between academic, extracurricular activities, social life, and personal care can be challenging.

3. Diversity and Inclusion: In light of the recent social justice movements, many students are pushing for more diversity and inclusivity on campus. These might manifest in demands for more courses highlighting diverse perspectives, urging for a diverse faculty, or campaigns for more inclusive policies or resources for underrepresented student groups.

4. Financial Stability: With rising tuition costs and the challenges of balancing part-time jobs and studies, financial issues are paramount. Students often advocate for additional scholarships, financial aid transparency, or work-study opportunities.

5. Sustainability: Many students care about their school's impact on the environment. They're eager to see universities implementing more sustainable practices, such as reducing campus waste, maximizing resource efficiency, or offering more courses and programs around sustainability.

6. Career Readiness: Students want to know they'll be prepared to enter the workforce post-graduation. They value robust career services—internships, networking events, career counseling, and job placement rates—that can help them transition from college to career.

While every student may not find all these issues equally relevant, they tend to resonate on a broad scale. This is a snapshot of the current climate, but remember, the college experience is unique for everyone, and you might discover your own priorities as you go through it. College is a great place to explore these issues, and many more that you might discover along the way.